Enjoy North Tyneside's fantastic Coast

 

02-JUN-09

Issued by: Duncan Bennett

From donkey rides to surfing, a host of fun activities for all the family take place along North Tyneside's award-winning coastline this weekend.

Coast 09 will be held on June 6-7 at St Mary's Island, Whitley Bay Promenade, Cullercoats, Tynemouth Longsands and King Edward's Bay.

It has been organised by North Tyneside Council to celebrate World Environment Day and World Ocean Day as well as the award of three Blue Flags and four Quality Coast Awards for the borough's beaches.

Starting at 10am each day, Coast 09 features dozens of activities, special offers at coastal attractions, a free open top bus between locations plus free bike hire.

Cllr Bruce Pickard, cabinet member for Cleaner Neighbourhoods, said: "We're really proud of our award-winning coastline.

"This event is a great reason for people to pay a visit and enjoy what it has to offer.

"Our team has organised a huge programme of activities with the support of lots of individuals, groups, organisations and businesses.

"We truly believe that there is something for all the family to enjoy."

Experts will be on hand at St Mary's Island to inform and educate about how we can help the environment with the opportunity to take part in activities such as rock pooling and seal spotting.

There will be a range of activities at Whitley Bay Promenade including street performances and the chance for children to take a donkey ride.

Further down the coast at Cullercoats there is the chance to visit the RNLI roadshow as well as an art exhibition in Cullercoats Community Centre.

Tynemouth Longsands will have activities ranging from surfing to volleyball and there is family fun on King Edward's Bay with sandcastle competitions and treasure hunts.

There are also special offers at Blue Reef Aquarium, Tynemouth Priory and Castle (Sunday only) and Whitley Bay Mini Golf.

A free open top bus will operate between Tynemouth Metro Station and St Mary's Island while there is free bike hire from a marquee opposite Tynemouth boating lake.

For further information, including the full programme guide, visit www.northtyneside.gov.uk, TEL: 0845 2000 101, or e-mail coast@northtyneside.gov.uk

Note to editors:

World Environment Day is an annual event as part of the United Nations Environment Programme and aims to raise awareness of the environment we live in. World Ocean Day is an opportunity to celebrate our oceans and seas.

North Tyneside Council has prestigious Blue Flag status for its beaches at Whitley Bay (south), Tynemouth Longsands (south) and King Edward's Bay after strict environmental assessments. The trio of beaches, along with Cullercoats, have also earned Quality Coast Awards.

Travelling north, people would have to travel over 1,700 miles, around the top of Scotland to reach the next Blue Flag beach in Cornwall. Due south, the next Blue Flag beach is 160 miles away in East Yorkshire.

ENDS